Content Options

By TAPINTO.NET

October 5, 2017 at 2:00 AM

TAPinto.net celebrated its ninth birthday on Monday at its franchisee meeting held at the Grand Summit Hotel, in Summit, NJ.

What began in 2008 as an all-online local newspaper in New Providence founded by Michael Shapiro and his wife, Lauryn, is now the dominant player in local news, with more than 65 TAPinto sites providing original local reporting every day in more than 100 towns in New Jersey and New York. The company's growth took place during a time when other media organizations slashed local news coverage and laid off staff.

"Traffic continues to grow, with more than 894,000 readers in September 2017," Shapiro said. "80,221 people are receiving TAPinto's daily e-news and 162,776 people follow TAPinto sites on Facebook. Revenue is up approximately 50 percent year-over-year."

TAPinto is investing more than $150,000 in technological improvements including new infrastructure and databases to support further expansion, Shapiro added.

"TAPinto sites are locally owned and operated and do their own original local news reporting," Shapiro said. "Local ownership and local reporting makes all the difference. By providing the back-end, training, and support to our franchisees, we created a growing and successful network of online local news sites that is a model for the struggling media industry. Our innovative model enables our sites to not only produce great original local news, but also achieve record-breaking traffic and financial sustainability."

What's next for TAPinto? "If I were a betting man, I'd put money on TAPinto launching in another state in the next six months," Shapiro said.

"As we continue to grow, we are committed to improving local journalism," he added. "Thank you to our readers and our advertisers for your loyalty and support. We would not be here without you."

For more information about franchising TAPinto in your community, visit www.starttap.net

______________

TAPinto.net is a network of more than 65 all-online local newspaper franchises in New Jersey and New York with more than 6.5M readers. The all-online hyperlocal news sites boast more than one hundred columnists, a full-service Community Calendar, Business Directory, local Real Estate Listings and more. The public can friend TAPinto.net on Facebook at Facebook.com/tapintolocal and can follow TAPinto.net on Twitter at Twitter.com/tapintolocal

In addition, TAPinto.net is currently offering franchise opportunities in CT, MA, FL, NJ, NY, PA and beyond. Anyone interested in starting an online newspaper in their town is invited to Click here for more information.

WELLINGTON, Fla. — On Jan. 18, S. Tucker S. Johnson was presented with the 2019 R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award during the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club Reception held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Fla.

In 2015, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced the creation of the award in honor and recognition of the late Bruce Duchossois.

GOSHEN, N.Y. — The Living Horse Hall of Fame nominating committee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame has announced the results of recent balloting to determine the 2019 inductees into the Harness Racing Living Horse Hall of Fame.

Museum members voted for the three horses they felt best exemplified greatness. Their choices are racehorses Foiled Again and Captaintreacherous, and ...

BARNEGAT - The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Strike Force, Ocean County SWAT Team and other municipal police departments arrested four people from Ocean County, including three from Barnegat on Tuesday, January 15.

They were arrested for possessing and distributing drugs, including heroin and cocaine,.

The SWAT Team raided the home of Ronald Lawrence and Denisha Nash at 465 North Main ...

BARNEGAT - The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Strike Force, Ocean County SWAT Team and other ...

MANAHAWKIN, NJ - The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that partner member and Southern Ocean Made Accredited business Jetty Life, LLC has received a New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJSTEP) grant to cover costs in participating in out of area trade shows.

The award of $11,000 helps offset the cost of the Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver they attended this ...

MANAHAWKIN, NJ - The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that partner ...